Companies such as Mantec Services who advertise in LRO supply these units for Tdi and V8 Land Rovers, Defenders and Discoverys.

I am told that you can't install a high level external intake on a V8 Efi-engined vehicle as the balance can't be right for the engine to breath correctly. But I'm sure that Ian Gough of Mantec can advise you if you think you need one.

A further problem associated with attempting to drive through water that is just far too deep is the risk of getting water mixed with oil in either the axle differentials, swivel housings, gearbox/transfer case and the engine. Most of these major assemblies have breather pipes and valves, which could take in water. Water in any of these oils will destroy bearings and gear sets remarkably quickly.

If you don't exceed the maximum recommended wading depth, then you should have no problems. Check the depth by wading through first on foot carrying a long stick. As the maximum wading depth is just about the average man's knee, Wellington boots are not going to be tall enough, so if it's a washed-out track or pool you are checking, reach over from the bank's edge.

If there are ruts going down into a stagnant waterhole and ruts out the other side, then expect to find ruts under the water too. Establish the depth of water in these rutted areas as well.

Where a stagnant waterhole is likely to be partly full of mud and silt, a river crossing will have clear water flowing. Again, wade out first if you can and reach out with your wading stick to check depth. There are unlikely to be ruts in the riverbed, but boulders strewn across the bed could present quite a problem. Stare into the surface - Polaroid glasses can help here, allowing you to see through the water's reflection. It is important that you don't strike a boulder with a front wheel or, just as bad, straddle a large rock, which could make contact with the underside of the vehicle, causing much damage.

Fast flowing water presents its own problems too, in that pressure exerted by the flow can most certainly push you down river. However, it is unlikely that you would attempt to cross a river in a full-blown, raging torrent as the depth would be totally unknown to you. In the accompanying pictures, you'll see I took this calculated risk to show that there are 'real' dangers present.

If you did have to cross, you would need to steer down diagonally across the river to allow the fast-flowing water to escape along the side of you, turning only at the last minute up your escape route on the opposite bank.

Obviously, you would have to enter the river at a point upstream to drive across safely.

It's always better to find a section of the river to cross at its widest, as the current is weakest here. The strongest current is always at its narrowest point.

Discovery V8s are much the same as above. Tdi models route the air intake through a void between the inner and outer wings. If you are into serious stuff, fit an external high intake for peace of mind.

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(c)Goodwinch Limited 2006